"Remembrance, " for instance, begins with softly plucked notes on the guitar and slowly incorporates the banjo, strings section, and drums until all the instruments energetically meet in a climax before breaking back down into the song's quiet resolution.

NPR: Balmorhea: 'Settler'

Before leaving for law school in China I jumped in my little red truck, threw my newly bought old-time banjo in the back, and went on a road trip through Appalachia to learn some old-time American music.

CNN: Singing songs to connect America and China

Le Loup was assembled when banjo player and keyboardist Sam Sinkoff posted some of his laptop recordings on the internet.

NPR: Le Loup: 'Planes Like Vultures'

First we lost Earl Scruggs when the great father of bluegrass banjo passed away, and now guitar legend Doc Watson has passed on as well.

FORBES: Life Lessons from Doc Watson's Guitar

From this natural narrative flow, Balmorhea proves that a cello and a banjo are just as capable of expressing ideas and emotions as a group of words on a page.

NPR: Balmorhea: 'Settler'

The Lone Bellow has been on something of a run since releasing its self-titled debut album in January, distinguishing itself from the banjo-toting crowd in Brooklyn with a big sound that's drawing a lot of attention.

WSJ: New player The Lone Bellow storms folk-rock party